Houlka aldermen set special election

HOULKA – Town board members have set in motion the replacement of one of their members.
Thomas McNeil Jr. was automatically removed from office on Dec. 14, when a circuit court order was filed declaring that McNeil, previously convicted of two felonies, was ineligible to hold office.
The convictions were not acknowledged on McNeil’s application for office, town officials said. The attorney general’s office pursued the removal of McNeil after receiving anonymous tips about the convictions.
Qualifying is ongoing until Jan. 27 for the Feb. 16 special election. Because all aldermen in Houlka are elected at-large, all Houlka voters will eligible to participate in the election.